Leading brand communications agency targets ambitious growth with Leeds relocation

Posted on Aug 16, 2018 by Natalie Phillips

After sixteen years in Otley, full service brand communications agency, Ponderosa, has moved to new offices in a fast-evolving part of Leeds city centre, as it targets ambitious growth and rapid job creation.

The company, which has an impressive client list including Russell Hobbs, Maxibon, George Foreman and Hisense, has relocated its 35-strong team across two floors at the newly refurbished Cross York Studios on Cross York Street.

Also making the move is sister company Grapple, a specialist digital agency which lists Sony Music, Jorvik Viking Centre, NGN, MelodyVR and Greencore among its clients.

The offices, which were let by Fox Lloyd Jones on behalf of landlords Urban Edge Group, are within an Edwardian building which started life as a Sunday school and was more recently a nightclub.

The refurbishment has combined the building’s history with the latest technology. Exposed brickwork and metal-detailing to the original flooring, combined with superfast internet, intelligent air conditioning and energy efficient dimmable LED lighting has created a contemporary workspace for the agency.

Speaking about the move Group Managing Director of Ponderosa, Steve Henry, said,

“It was not an easy decision to move from our original Otley base where we built the company from scratch and enjoyed so much success. However we knew that to achieve our ambitious growth plans over the next five years we needed to be in Leeds city centre. Not only does it make us more accessible to clients, it also exposes us to a huge pool of creative talent.”

“The move has already resulted in us attracting new clients, which means we have an immediate requirement for seven new people to join our team.”

Commenting on the letting, Harry Dunhill of Fox Lloyd Jones, said,

“The eastern part of Leeds city centre, which includes the Corn Exchange, Call Lane, and Victoria Gate has established itself as an attractive retail and entertainment destination. The recent upgrade and refurbishment of the historic buildings in and around Cross York Street is now attracting a number of creative and digital agencies to this part of town too, which has added to its vibrancy.”

“Having let two floors of the Cross York Studios to Ponderosa and Grapple, we now have studio two under offer, and a strong enquiry for studio six, which would mean the building would be fully let.”